About This Tour
Overview
This extraordinary 21-day expedition weaves together the temple heritage of Odisha and the tribal heartland of Chhattisgarh - two of India's least-explored states. Begin in Bhubaneswar, the Temple City, then travel to Puri and the UNESCO Konark Sun Temple. Explore textile villages, Dhokra metal craft, and the Mahima Monastery at Dhenkanal. Cruise Chilika Lake and relax at Gopalpur-on-Sea. Venture into the Eastern Ghats to meet the Kutia Kondh, Dongariya Kondh, Bonda, Gadaba, Didayi, Paroja, and Dhuruba tribes at their weekly markets. Cross into Bastar to meet the Maria tribe, witness the Chitrakoot Waterfall, explore the ancient Sirpur monastic site, the Ramnami community at Seori Narayan, the stunning Bhoramdev Temple, and the Gond tribal market before departing from Raipur.
Duration
20 Nights / 21 Days
Tour Type
Multi State · Tribal & Heritage
Region
Odisha & Chhattisgarh
Unique
Bonda · Maria · Gond · 64 Yogini · Chitrakoot Falls
Cultural
8 Tribal Communities · Buddhist Heritage · Bastar
Language
English
Top Experiences
Highlights
Bhubaneswar
Over 500 Kalinga temples - sacred tanks, Jain caves, and the Ashokan edicts at Dhauli where Emperor Ashoka found peace after Kalinga
Tribal Heartland
Kutia Kondh with facial tattoos, Dongariya Kondh with silver hairpins, and the iconic Bonda - India's most primitive tribe
Bastar & Chitrakoot
The Niagara of India - Chitrakoot Falls in full flow, Maria tribal markets, and the ancient Sirpur Buddhist monastic complex
Bhoramdev & Sirpur
The Khajuraho of Chhattisgarh - Bhoramdev Temple's erotic sculptures, and Sirpur's 7th-century Buddhist vihara ruins
Konark & Puri
The 13th-century Sun Temple (UNESCO) and the sacred Jagannath Temple - two of India's most extraordinary architectural wonders
Chilika & Crafts
Asia's largest brackish lagoon, Ikat weaving at Nuapatna, Dhokra metal casting, and the Mahima Sadhus' sunset prayers at Joranda
Visual Journey
Two States at a Glance
What's Covered
Includes / Excludes
✓ Included
- Hotel accommodation as per package (20 nights)
- Daily breakfast at hotel
- Private air-conditioned vehicle for all transfers & sightseeing
- Bhubaneswar arrival & Raipur departure transfers
- English-speaking guide; local tribal guides for market visits
- Wooden boat safari at Mangalajodi (Chilika Lake)
- Driver allowance, parking, tolls & transport taxes
We will arrange and confirm your hotel stays as per the trip and budget - hotel options are not fixed and can be customised to your preference. Contact us for details
✗ Excluded
- Airfare (Bhubaneswar in / Raipur out)
- Lunch, dinner & drinks unless mentioned
- Monument entry fees (temples, caves, museums)
- Camera fees, tips & personal expenses
- Travel insurance
- Anything not specifically mentioned
Specially prepared for October 2026 - aligned with weekly tribal market days.
SUN01
Arrival at Bhubaneswar
Udaygiri & Khandagiri Jain Caves
- Arrive at Bhubaneswar Airport - greeted by your guide and driver
- Transfer to hotel; check-in and freshen up
- If time permits, city tour of Udaygiri and Khandagiri Jain Caves - ancient rock-cut caves dating to the 2nd Century B.C., once home to Jain monks
- Overnight in Bhubaneswar
MON02
Bhubaneswar → Dhauli → Hirapur → Puri
Heritage Walk, Ashokan Edicts, 64 Yogini Temple
📸 Heritage Photography Walk
- Morning: Heritage Walk for photography around the old part of Bhubaneswar and the surroundings of Bindusagar, the sacred tank
- Proceed to Puri en-route visiting Ashokan Rock Edicts at Dhauli - where Emperor Ashoka renounced war after the bloody Kalinga campaign
- Visit the mystical 64 Yogini Temple at Hirapur - a rare circular open-to-sky temple dedicated to the 64 Yoginis
- Afternoon: explore Nayakpatna Artisans Village - watch Pattachitra artists and traditional craftsmen
- Evening: relax on Puri Beach
- Overnight in Puri
TUE03
Puri → Konark → Puri
Pottery Village, Jagannath Temple, Sun Temple
☀️ Heritage & Beach Day
- Morning: explore the pottery village of Puri and later visit the holy sacred cremation place at Puri
- Visit Lord Jagannath Temple (from outside for non-Hindus) - one of the most important spiritual temples of India. Walk around the temple to explore the surrounding bazaars
- Afternoon: excursion to the UNESCO World Heritage Site - Konark Sun Temple
- Explore the fishermen village on Chandrabhaga Beach
- Return to Puri; overnight
WED04
Puri → Nuapatna → Sadeibarini → Joranda → Dhenkanal
Textiles, Dhokra Metal, Mahima Monastery
🧵 Crafts & Monastery Day
- Drive to Nuapatna Textiles Village - explore the traditional Khandua Ikat weaving
- Visit Sadeibarini - the Dhokra (Dokra) metal processing village using the ancient lost-wax technique
- Afternoon: visit Joranda Mahima Monastery - witness the unique evening prayer of the Mahima Sadhus
- Evening: enjoy Laxmi Puja festival celebrations around Dhenkanal
- Overnight in Dhenkanal
THU05
Dhenkanal → Jagatsinghpur / Cuttack
Santal Tribal Villages, Laxmi Puja
🏘 Tribal & Festival Day
- Morning: visit a few Santal tribal community villages - one of India's largest tribal groups, known for their distinctive music and dance
- Proceed to visit Laxmi Puja at Nabapatna Village - experience the vibrant festival celebrations
- Overnight at Jagatsinghpur or Cuttack
FRI06
Around Jagatsinghpur / Cuttack
Leisure & Local Exploration
☕ Leisurely Exploration
- Day at leisure around Jagatsinghpur / Cuttack
- Explore the local markets, sample Odisha's famous street food, and visit the historic Barabati Fort area in Cuttack
- Overnight in Jagatsinghpur or Cuttack
SAT07
Cuttack → Mangalajodi → Gopalpur-on-Sea
Chilika Bird Paradise, Fishermen Village
🦜 Birding & Beach Day
- Proceed to Gopalpur-on-Sea en-route visiting Mangalajodi - a bird paradise on Chilika Lake, Asia's largest brackish water lagoon
- Take a wooden boat ride to see migratory birds
- Evening: explore the fishermen village at Gopalpur-on-Sea
- Overnight in Gopalpur
SUN08
Gopalpur-on-Sea → Baliguda
Scenic Drive into South Odisha
🏔 Into the Hills
- Breakfast at hotel; drive to Baliguda en-route visiting a few typical south Odisha villages
- The scenic drive winds through the Eastern Ghats
- Overnight in Baliguda
MON09
At Baliguda
Kutia Kondh Tribal Village & Weekly Market
🔸 Kutia Kondh Encounter
- Full day walking around Kutia Kondh Community Tribal Village
- Explore a weekly tribal market - observe the traditional barter system still in practice
- The Kutia Kondh are known for their distinctive facial tattoos and leaf-veil attire
- Overnight in Baliguda
TUE10
Baliguda → Kotagarh → Rayagada
Kutia Kondh Weekly Market, Desia Kondh
🔸 Market Day
- Drive to Rayagada en-route visiting the weekly tribal market of Kutia Kondh at Kotagarh
- Visit a few Desia Kondh tribal villages around the area
- Overnight in Rayagada
WED11
Rayagada → Chatikona → Jeypore / Similiguda
Dongariya Kondh - The Colourful Tribe
🔸 Dongariya Kondh Day
- Drive to Jeypore en-route visiting one of the most colourful tribal communities - the Dongariya Kondh
- Visit a few tribal villages along the way
- The Dongariya Kondh are known for their signature silver hairpins and handwoven shawls
- Overnight in Jeypore or Similiguda
THU12
Jeypore → Onukudelli → Jeypore
Bonda, Gadaba & Didayi Tribes
🔸 The Iconic Bonda
- Explore the most beautiful and colourful tribal community of Odisha - the Bonda (Thursday market at Onukudelli)
- Also meet the Gadaba and Didayi Tribes
- Visit a few Gadaba tribal villages
- The Bonda are one of India's most primitive tribes, with women identifiable by their close-shaved heads, heavy bead necklaces, and brass rings
- Overnight in Jeypore
FRI13
Kunduli
Paroja Tribes, Largest Tribal Market
🔸 Paroja Market Day
- Morning excursion to visit Paroja tribal villages with the largest tribal market at Kunduli
- Also visit Lord Jagannath Temple in the area
- Overnight in Jeypore / Similiguda
SAT14
Gupteswar
Cave Temple, Dhuruba Tribal Market
🔸 Cave & Tribe Day
- Morning excursion to Gupteswar to visit the Cave Temple and meet the Dhuruba Tribal Community at their weekly tribal market
- Overnight in Jeypore/Similiguda
SUN15
Jagdalpur
Maria Tribal Market - Entering Chhattisgarh
🌿 Bastar Begins
- Morning drive to Jagdalpur - the cultural capital of Bastar, Chhattisgarh
- Afternoon: visit the weekly tribal market of Maria Tribe
- The Maria are known for their unique Ghotul tradition and distinctive attire
- Overnight in Jagdalpur
MON16
At Jagdalpur
Maria Villages, Chitrakoot Waterfall
🌊 Niagara of India
- Morning: visit a few Maria tribal villages with their colourful dance (optional, at extra cost)
- Explore the weekly market
- Afternoon: visit the famous Chitrakoot Waterfall - known as the "Niagara of India," a magnificent horseshoe-shaped cascade on the Indravati River
- Overnight in Jagdalpur
TUE17
Jagdalpur → Kondagaon → Kanker
Tribal Craft Village, Bastar Art
🎨 Craft & Art Day
- Morning drive exploring the famous Kondagaon Tribal Craft Village - the bell-metal and terracotta craft hub of Bastar
- Afternoon: proceed to Kanker
- Overnight in Kanker
WED18
Kanker → Rajim → Sirpur → Seori Narayan
Temples, Monasteries, Long Drive
🛕 Heritage Long Drive
- Early morning drive to Seori Narayan (long drive day)
- En-route visit Rajim Temple - known as the "Prayag of Chhattisgarh" where three rivers converge
- Visit Champaran (Sirpur) Monastery - a magnificent 7th-century Buddhist monastic site with a stunning red-brick vihara and exquisite sculptures
- Overnight in Seori Narayan
THU19
At Seori Narayan
Ramnami Community & Temple
🔸 Ramnami Day
- Day to visit Ramnami Community - a unique sect whose members tattoo the name "Ram" all over their bodies
- Visit Seori Narayan Temple
- Experience the unique cultural and spiritual traditions of this region
- Overnight in Seori Narayan
FRI20
Bhoramdev / Gond Tribal Market
The Khajuraho of Chhattisgarh
🏛 Temple & Gond Day
- Drive to Bhoramdev / Chilipi
- Afternoon: visit the Gond Tribal Market - the Gond are one of India's largest tribal communities, renowned for their vibrant art and Pradhan style paintings
- Overnight near Bhoramdev
SAT21
Bhoramdev → Raipur
Ancient Temple, City Market, Departure
🏙 City Finale
- Morning: explore the amazing Bhoramdev Temple - often called the "Khajuraho of Chhattisgarh," built in the 11th century with exquisite erotic and mythological carvings
- Drive to Raipur - explore the market area of Raipur
- Transfer to Raipur Airport for departure
- Tour concludes. Carry the spirit of tribal India with you.
Important Information
Planning Your Tour
Best time: This itinerary is specially prepared for October 2026 - post-monsoon when the waterfalls are at their fullest and the weather is pleasant. October also features the Laxmi Puja festival celebrations.
Photography: Always ask permission before photographing tribal community members. Some tribes (particularly the Bonda) may request a small fee. Respect their wishes if they decline.
Dress code: Modest clothing covering shoulders and knees is recommended, especially in temples and tribal villages. Remove footwear before entering temple premises.
Two-state itinerary: This tour begins in Bhubaneswar (Odisha) and ends in Raipur (Chhattisgarh). Book your flights accordingly - arrive at BBI and depart from RPR. An open-jaw ticket is recommended.
Road conditions: Some roads in tribal areas are unpaved. Day 18 involves a long drive (Kanker → Seori Narayan). A comfortable vehicle is provided. Enjoy the landscapes!
Good to Know
Frequently Asked Questions
1
When is the ideal time to travel to Odisha?
The winter months from October to March offer pleasant temperatures (15°C to 28°C) and low humidity, making it the finest season for exploring ancient temples, coastal beaches, and wildlife sanctuaries.
2
Are there special guidelines for visiting tribal communities in Odisha?
Yes. Tribal haats (weekly markets) are cultural spaces and not tourist spectacles. Photography of tribal individuals requires respectful permission. Visits are conducted with experienced local tribal guides who ensure sensitive, non-intrusive cultural interaction.
3
Can non-Hindus enter the Jagannath Temple in Puri?
In accordance with centuries-old tradition, the inner complex of the Jagannath Temple in Puri is open exclusively to practicing Hindus. Non-Hindu travelers can view the temple complex and majestic flag-changing ritual from the adjacent Raghunandan Library rooftop terrace.
4
What can I experience at Chilika Lake and Mangalajodi?
Chilika is Asia's largest brackish water lagoon. The Mangalajodi wetland hosts over 150 species of migratory birds between November and February. Silent country boat tours steered by former poachers-turned-conservationists offer world-class birdwatching.
5
What local arts and handicrafts can I purchase during the tour?
Odisha is famous for heritage crafts including Pattachitra scroll paintings and palm-leaf etchings from Raghurajpur craft village, Dokra lost-wax brass castings, Sambalpuri handloom sarees, and Cuttack silver filigree jewelry.
Full Route
Tour Map
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